The Rise of the White Lotus

"Ahh… this is great!" Eating the first proper dish she had for the last several days, Tora exclaimed. Steam came out from her gaped mouth as she tried to cool the food down while chewing — very unladylike.

Earlier, after the table broke in half, the crowd went from shock to a loud cheer. The old auntie that owned the small establishment also went crazy and urged them to pay. Hence, Aki paid her a pouch of silver which made her shut up and let them be.

After that, Tora and Aki called it quits since they might break all the tables and they wouldn't see the victor. Regardless, that was quite a fun experience Tora never expected. Still, although it was a draw, Aki still insisted to pay for her meal as he had a fun time with her.

 It's still a free meal, so Tora gladly accepted his offer like a shameless peasant. 

"You have a rather vast appetite, Yamada-san." Aki gracefully downed his cup of sake after he glanced at the glutton eating before him. "I wonder where that all goes?" He humored with a faint chuckle.

"Ayah, I haven't had a proper meal for the past ten days!" Spooning the hot pottage, Tora said in a matter-of-fact tone. "This is good." She added after gulping down the soup that instantly brought the heat to her stomach.

"Huh?" Aki furrowed his brows upon hearing the knowledge. "Does that mean your strength earlier was marginally reduced due to lack of meals?" He frowned as he gave his all earlier. He was healthy and eating properly while Tora, on the other hand, was deprived of food for the last ten days?

"Ah, no. that's all I have." Shaking her head sideways, no one knew if she was lying or stating the truth. She was too busy shoving foods inside her mouth that she nearly choked. 

"Say, why are you deprived of food for ten days?" On the other side of the table, their little company that never once left Tora's side, sweetly smiled as she asked. To Aki, he already assumed that she was Tora's companion as she didn't bother to shoo the little girl away.

However, why was she asking such a question as if she didn't know?

"I traveled here, that's all." Glancing at Churu, Tora shrugged her shoulders after she successfully cleared her airways. "I hunt for food on the way, but it's still incomparable with this kind of food. So, it's safe to say that you fought me in my hundred." Smiling, Tora briefly raised his brows.

She wasn't lying though because, during the war, eating was a luxury. Hence, she was used to reserving her strength no matter how little her food intake and little rest she has.

"Are you a soldier?" Suddenly, Aki asked because of the little information she said, it was enough for him to assume that she was a soldier. After all, with her strength, her ways of thinking, and her characteristic was just like what a trained soldier.

"Huh?" Arching her brow, Tora narrowed her eyes to the inquiring Aki. "How about you?" Not confirming his guess whether or not he was correct, Tora asked in return.

"I'm a merchant from the Capital. I am here to deliver some goods and also purchase herbs that could only get from the north." Dropping the matter of Tora being dead hungry on their match, Aki smiled again before he poured himself a sake.

"Ahh…" Tora nodded her head in understanding before turning her attention back on her food. It would make sense if a wealthy merchant like him would travel to the north to purchase or trade goods. 

After all, the northern border might be the first that was invaded five years ago, still, some rare herbs would usually grow in this place because of its weather. Hence, that helped this town to regain its prosperity, slowly but surely: plus her aid to protect its process of healing.

After Tora's last remark, both of them didn't utter a word as Tora chowed down all her foods while Aki enjoyed his sake. The silence has only broken when Aki spoke,  "If you don't mind, may I know the duration of your stay or are you stationed here?" 

"Why?" Knitting her brows, Tora shoved the last dumpling inside her mouth.

"If I am correct, you lived near the capital. So, if you would like to join us when we return to the capital, you may. Journeying alone is quite troublesome and lonely." Bearing a pure intention, Aki offered with a smile.

He had figured that ten days of travel time, she probably came from the town near the capital. There are only a few towns that would take less travel time to the north. Hence, regardless of which town she came, they would still take the same route.

He had grown fond of Tora as she was a great person. It would be a waste if their 'friendship' would stop so suddenly. This only showed that Aki was interested in her the more they talked to each other.

Little did he know, Tora came from the Capital and her destination to return would be the same place. It only took her less time as she and Kaze rested only for a few hours before continuing on their journey.

"I will reconsider the offer—" Just as Tora was about to politely reject the offer, the great Churu that the two nearly forgotten her presence chimed in.

"We will join you!" Churu smiled brightly as she exclaimed. Both Tora and Aki turned their head to the little girl. Aki bearing a satisfied smile while Tora was rendered speechless.

Who was this child again? No, that's not what's important. But why was she deciding for her? For the General of this nation? Moreover, what does she mean 'WE'?

"Alright then. We will leave in eight days. After that, you can meet us outside the town at dawn." Pleased, Aki reminded her with a grin.

"Okay!" Churu responded before casting Tora a glance, moving her brows in an up and down motion.  This foreign word confused the two as they never heard it before, still, they heed it no mind as it wasn't important.

"My apologies but—" Surprised by this deal that she never agreed, Tora was about to reject and explain but once again, Churu interrupted her.

"Yamada-san, you won't go back on your words, will you?" Pouting, the side of Churu's eyes seemed to form tears that would fall any minute. Tora contemplated whether she would succumb to her cuteness, but seeing that she's on the verge of crying, it poked her soft spots.

"No. We will see you then." Sighing, Tora helplessly agreed. How hard it was to be a ruthless warrior but turning into a softie to a harmless little girl.